Question: Accutane and Depression
Do you have any information linking the acne drug Accutane to depression?
Answer: Yes. In February of 1998 the manufacturer of Accutane, Roche Laboratories, issued a letter to physicians in which they added the following to the WARNINGS section of Prescribing Information for Accutane:
Psychiatric disorders: Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide. Discontinuation of Accutane therapy may be insufficient; further evaluation may be necessary. No mechanism of action has been established for these events.
You may learn more about the link between Accutane and depression at the following locations:
Food and Drug Administation MedWatch Program The full text of the letter from Roche Laboratories.
FDA Reports that Accutane May Be Linked to Depression, Suicide Some reported that their depression subsided when they stopped Accutane treatment and returned when they resumed it which was strong enough evidence of a link for the manufacturer to issue a warning.
